Maine Beer Co. Peeper Ale

Beer Peeper Ale
Brewery Maine Beer Co.
Location Portland, ME
Type/Style Pale Ale
ABV 5.5%

To The Eye: Slightly hazy light gold color, verging on amber.

To The Nose: Strong citrus hop scent, with piney notes as well. Well balanced hop ratio.

On The Lips: Bitter forward. Medium to light body for easy drinking. Very crisp flavors, with the strong bitter citrus hop playing the main role. The bitterness mellows out nicely in the middle, where the piney flavors I smelled carries more strength. Ends with a sweet profile.

On The Tongue: Crisp and clean with great carbonation. Each sip feels refreshing and clean.

Opinion: As I’ve already stated in previous posts, pale ales are some of my favorite beers as a rule. Nicely hopped, crisp and light bodied, they’re ales with character without losing a drinkable quality. This beer captures that perfect, albeit with a little more hop profile than some similar brews. A winner in my book.

C.K.

 

Abita Restoration Pale Ale

Beer Restoration Pale Ale
Brewery Abita
Location Abita Springs, LA
Type/Style American Pale Ale
ABV 5.1%

To The Eye: Interesting orange-gold in color. Minimal to no head, lots of visible carbonation.

To The Nose: Little smell to be had here. Very, very slight hop scent (floral) , perhaps a touch of honey. Nothing very notable.

On The Lips: Was relieved to find the taste much more interesting than smell. A forward hop bite, notable but not overpowering. The bite dissipates quickly to a somewhat sweet honey-like crispness, balanced with a citrus-orange taste. Very dry finish, leaving you ready for another sip.

On The Tongue: Crisp and sharp at first, with a good carbonation. Rolls over the tongue quickly, then mellows out. The dry finish leaves your palate feeling clear. No aftertaste. All in all very refreshing.

Opinion: This was one of the first Pale Ales that really impressed me. It had enough bite to satisfy the hop-head in me, but was not overly bitter which can reduce drinkability. Great beer, probably one of my top choices for a sipping on a warm day. Because I was drinking it while playing games, it lasted a while. In other circumstances I could see it being a quick drink, due to the light and crisp nature. Was surprised by the complexity in a taste that vanishes so quickly. Well worth checking out, especially for those who don’t like harsh or dark beers (mom), but want something interesting. Plus, it was originally brewed to help raise aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina (which it did in spades) so you can pat yourself on the back for downing five of these on a hot summer day.

C.K.

 

Introducting: The American Pale Ale

Introducing: The American Pale Ale

American Pale Ales cover a variety of beers, and in many ways are one of the most common craft brews around. Many breweries use some version of an American Pale Ale as their flagship beer, due to their high drinkability. Usually pretty balanced between malty and hoppy, with a light body and coloration, it can appeal to a wide range of drinkers.
Based on a British style of ale, the American variation tends to be hoppier while it’s UK predecessor focuses more on the malty qualities. Usually crisp or clean to drink, the American Pale Ale can be almost anything however: from a hoppy bitterness to a mild floral taste, with possible fruit qualities that can be dominant or subtle.

To sum up in common-speak, an American Pale Ale can vary greatly based on the brewery. They will be light bodied (not thick or syrupy), usually crisp, with a good balance of bitter and sweet. Lower alcohol content (roughly 5% ABV) makes them a great summer beer for sipping in the sun. A really fun style to explore, due to the variety that each brewery brings to it’s take on it, and one of my new favorite styles.

C.K.